The practice in India year they have been in the Colony. is referred to in support of this proposal, but I can trace nothing in the Govt: of India P.W.D.:Code 1907 to bear out this statement. In any case, it is not, in my opinion, & sound system to write down the value of stores in this rigid manner, absolutely without reference to ruling market rates, and I consider that this proposal should not be accepted.
As to para: 2 (c) on page 3 of Report I assume that the transfers referred to would be effected through a special
sub-hsad under Revenue.
Para: 2 (d) on p. 4. It would be better to show a temporary excess on the Unallocated Store account than to open. a special Suspense account as suggested.
2 (e) p. 4. All stores not required should be disposed of. The last para: suggests that 0.0. should issue a Colonial Code for P.W. Accounting giving uniformity in all Colonies. This is a purely administrative question, with regard to which I express no opinion.
ras
30/10
for D.C.A.
No
19.
Sir,
overnor's No. 195 of 17th.
May, 1911.
of 30th. June, 1911.
3503
* 5 FEB 12
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 8th. January, 1912.
Referring to the Despatches noted in the
73
margin, I have the honour to inform you that 29
ecretary of State's No.1869'in' accordance with Colonial Regulation No. 386 I recently appointed a Board of Survey consisting of Mr. E. S. Lindsey, late Chief Resident Engineer, Kowloon-Canton Railway (British Section), Commander C. W. Beckwith, Acting Harbour liester, and hr. H. F. Tooker of the Public Works Department to inspect and report upon certain obsolete or useless stores in charge of the Public Works Department carried on the ledgers at approximately $33,000. The opportunity was taken to ask the Board to consider and report at the same time (a) whether the limit temporarily fixed at $200,000 was from a practical point of view satisfactory and whether further reduction would or would not inilitate against efficiency (b) whether the existing stock which stood at a value of over $300,000 could be brought down to the authorised limit and (c) whether plant temporarily out of use was carried on Store Account to any considerable extent.
1
2.
I now submit for your consideration copy of the Board's report together with a covering minute dated 10th. November. Their recomendations appear to me to be practical and well adapted to requirements. I would, however, inquire whether
the interpretation placed upon the term "Unallocated Stores in
paragraph
RIGHT HONOURABLE
LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,
&c.,
&c.,
&c...